Hometown:
Baltimore, Maryland
Education:
The University of Michigan
Bio:
A native to Baltimore, Cooper Cromwell-Whitley is a trombonist currently based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cooper has played with many notable orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the NYO All-Stars Orchestra of Carnegie Hall, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. In February of 2024, he made his solo debut playing the Larsson Concertino with the Pittsburgh Symphony.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I’ve always loved the community aspect of being in an orchestra and making music with so many other people.
Who are your all-time favorite composers and/or pieces? Why?
Mahler, Shostakovich, R. Strauss
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
When I was 4, I created my own coffee cake recipe from scratch.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Spending time with my girlfriend, gaming with the boys, and cooking new recipes.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose the NRO because I want to continue playing as much new repertoire as possible as well as becoming the best orchestral musician I can be.